Pawan Sehrawat in an exclusive interview with Timesnownews.com talks about India call-up, his stellar season with Bengaluru Bulls and the struggle before making it big.

24 games and a stunning 282 points later a buoyant Pawan Sehrawat stood with the coveted Pro Kabbadi League trophy at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium in Mumbai. The 22-year-old had spent a large part of the season last year on the bench for Gujarat Fortunegiats but with the Bulls, Sehrawat was a different player altogether. With his bag full of tricks coupled with his determination and aggression, Pawan finished the season as the best raider.

In his own words, Pawan said he felt like a champion after he inspired his team to a victory in a nail-biting final against Gujarat Fortunegiants in the sixth season of the Pro Kabaddi League. He almost single-handedly took Bengaluru Bulls to 38-33 win with 22 points from 25 raids. He capped off the season in the same way that he had started, being unstoppable and bagging raid points with ease.

Thanks to his attacking prowess and the ability to snatch away points from a stern defence like that of Gujarat, Pawan made the final look like it was a contest between him and the opposition team. Bengaluru trailed almost for the 30 out of the fourty minutes in the contest before Pawan decided to turn the battle on its head and deliver the performance of the season.

"The feeling is of a champion obviously, I've been playing in the Pro Kabaddi League for a while now and it's a proud feeling to be winning my maiden title with Bengaluru Bulls," Pawan told Timesnownews.com in an exclusive chat.

Playing in his first ever big final, any athlete will feel the pressure of delivering the goods for their side but Pawan relished the opportunity and brought his top game on the day when his team needed him the most.

"The only aim in my mind was to clinch the title for Bengaluru Bulls. There was no such pressure but inside my head, I was sure we can do it together as a team and we did. Our coach advised us to continue playing our natural game and that's what we did. Rohit Bhai was stellar as a captain and he kept the team intact through thick and thin," Pawan reckoned.

Pawan played an instrumental role in leading the Bulls to their maiden title. After a disappointing last season, one would have expected him to not be in demand at the auctions ahead of the start of the 2018-19 season, but that wasn't the case. Pawan was in high demand in the auctions and Bulls broke the bank to buy him for Rs 52.8 lakh.

A brilliant show at the Senior Nationals and impressive trials with the Bulls meant Pawan had a new team to play for after playing for Gujarat Fortunegiants in the last season. Though he never had doubts about not making it big in PKL, like every other sportsperson, Pawan too was once down with the lack of chances with Fortunegiansts.

"There are difficult times in the life of every sportsperson but I never gave up training. I did the extra yards and practised more. My coaches were there to motivate me throughout and eventually results fell my way, " He said remembering his struggles last season.

"Yes, there was a point when I was demotivated by the lack of opportunities but the thought of giving up never crossed my mind. Last season was my third one in the league but I was not getting enough chances and I was waiting for them to come my way. But you must have heard that famous John Cena quote, 'Never Give Up,' I never gave up," he added.

Pawan was not only the best raider for the Bengaluru Bulls but also the finest in the league as he finished with the most points by any player - 282. Out of the 375 raids that he conducted on the mat, he notched up 209 successful raids with a total of 271 raid points. He also took 11 tackle points to showcase his all-round abilities.

After a memorable season with the Bulls and having realised his dream of lifting the Pro Kabaddi League title, Pawan is hopeful of an India call-up which he says is an ultimate dream. "My ultimate dream is to play for the Indian team and I am working towards it. I am looking forward to consistently perform wherever I get opportunities and wait for the call-up," he asserted.

Pawan started playing kabaddi since he was seven-years-old, a sports enthusiast, he always knew he wanted to make a career in sports but his parents had doubts initially about his decision before he started taking kabaddi seriously and made a name for himself in the local circuit. He played at the school level initially and moved on to the district, state and national level before getting his big break in the PKL.

"I always wanted to play kabaddi as a youngster, if not kabaddi I would have definitely have been in some other sports. I started playing when I was 7 or 8-years-old, I used to play with kids in school then played at the state level and nationals before the Pro Kabaddi League," he said recollecting how it all started for him.

However, he had a not so rosy start in the Pro Kabaddi League and in total three seasons he managed to play just 32 games in three seasons before playing 24 games last season, the most in four seasons for him in the biggest kabaddi league in the world.

But despite not getting too many opportunities with Gujarat last season, Pawan didn't lose hope and continued to train harder. His coach Randhir Sehrawat, who has played an immense role in shaping his career, was always there for his ward in darkest of times to ensure that Pawan didn't lose hope and kept moving towards his target. Randhir was a part of the Bulls' coaching staff this season and his presence was a massive boost for Pawan.

"He is the real 'Dhronacharya' for me, he kept visiting me last season and ensured that I am motivated. He told me to keep training and that my turn would come next season. He had promised me that Bengaluru Bulls will buy me in the auctions after trails and he did, he also gave me ample opportunities to prove my worth," Pawan said thanking his coach.

Apart from being an ace in kabaddi, Pawan is also a huge admirer of cricket and one of its legend - AB de Villiers. Mr 360, as AB is fondly called for his all-round abilities on the field, inspires the young raider to the core. Pawan revealed how he has followed AB closely and has also read about his struggles, he said AB 's style of play is what inspires him the most.

"I am a big fan of AB de Villiers and cricket. I try to take from his game, I am a fan of the way he plays on the pitch. He is someone whom I have followed a lot and I have also read about his struggles. I want to be an all-rounder like him and improve my defending as well," Pawan said.

After realising his dream with Bengaluru Bulls, Pawan anticipates a welcoming reception back home in Bhawana and hopes that his performances on the mat can inspire the next generation of kabaddi players in his village and across the country.

"I haven't gone back home yet but I'm sure people back in my village will be waiting eagerly. 'Never give up,' and be patient, wait for your opportunities, grab them with both the hands when they come your way, is what I want to convey to the youngsters out there who want to get into sports and make their country proud," Pawan signed off.

EXCLUSIVE| Ultimate dream is to play for India, says Pawan Sehrawat after inspiring Bengaluru to PKL titleDescription:Pawan Sehrawat in an exclusive interview with Timesnownews.com talks about India call-up, his stellar season with Bengaluru Bulls and the struggle before making it big. Times Now